Question

Mrs. Axlo is a 56-year-old woman with Type II diabetes. She was diagnosed several
years ago and despite her doctor’s advice she really does not watch what she eats and she rarely
gets any exercise. As a result, it is very difficult to keep her blood glucose levels at an
acceptable level. Recently, Mrs. Axlo has been suffering from severe gastrointestinal
discomfort, including acid reflux and abdominal pain. After a visit with her doctor, she is told
that her symptoms are possibly related to prolonged high blood glucose levels that have damaged
a cranial nerve. He discusses treatment options with her, but warns her that her symptoms will
likely be something that she has to deal with for the rest of her life, just like her diabetes. He
also emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet and refers her to a nutritional counselor.

question:

1.   In addition to Mrs. Axlo’s unfortunate symptoms in Case Study 1, she also experienced a positive outcome from her condition and was able to lose some weight. There has been research done on the surgical dissection of this particular cranial nerve to help with weight-loss. What function(s) related to this nerve would be related to weight-loss if the nerve was damaged? What are some of the less desirable side effects that may occur from such a surgical procedure, other than the ones listed in Case Study 1?

Answer 1

VAGUS NERVE is the nerve that connects the brain to the abdomen, heart,lungs. Vagus nerve is a parasympathetic nerve.

Vagus nerve send signals from brain to digestive system and chest and from the digestive system & chest to brain.

The main function of the vagus nerve that associated with the abdomen & chest are -

- vagus nerve send send signal to the brain about hunger & fullness.

- vagus nerve also controls the inflammatory response.

- vagus nerve controls the movement of skeletal muscles of the mouth and larynx(speech ) like platoglossus muscle, pharyngeal muscles etc.

- Vagus nerve is responsible for movement of food through peristalsis in gastrointestinal system.

- vagus nerve is responsible(signals from brain for ) for digestion by secretion of digestive enzymes.

- vagus nerve also regulate the mood and stress levels, heart rate.

These are the functions related to the vagus nerve and are related to the weight loss. Vagus nerve is the only nerve that connects brain to the whole abdomen. vagus nerve is involved in the obesity, other gastrointestinal peoblems and heart problems.

In this case study, Mrs. axlo is suffering from type 2 diabetes due to which her vagus nerve become damaged resulting in the severe gastrointestinal discomfort, including acid reflux and abdominal pain. All these problems are associated with weight loss.

Her treatment options may include vagotomy or other options which may relieve the symptoms present but can cause some side effects like deficiency of vitamin b12 in long term it can cause pernicious anemia, reduced digestive efficiency as it carries signals from the brain to stimulate the parietal cells in the stomach responsible for release of hcl.